Team chief: Checkpoints need to be discussed
Serbia has launched a diplomatic initiative before international bodies regarding Priština's action in Kosovo, Belgrade team head Borislav Stefanovic says.
Sunday, 18.09.2011.
10:57
Serbia has launched a diplomatic initiative before international bodies regarding Pristina's action in Kosovo, Belgrade team head Borislav Stefanovic says. In a statement for reporters, he reiterated that Belgrade was willing to reach an agreement as soon as possible, maybe even before the next round of the dialogue scheduled for September 28. Team chief: Checkpoints need to be discussed The Belgrade team head stated that crossings in northern Kosovo needed to be discussed in the next round of talks in Brussels on September 28, instead of the previously planned topics of electricity supply and Telekom communications company, although these issues were also important. He believes that if the topics of the September 28 meeting should remain as planned, the next round of talks may not be held at all. Elaborating on Belgrade's proposal for resolving the crisis in the northern part of the province, Stefanovic underscored that the document was based on the fact that Serbia found it unacceptable for Kosovo customs and police officers to be deployed at the Jarninje and Brnjak administrative crossings in the northern part of the province. “The ethnic structure is not as important as the fact that Kosovo customs officers represent an institution Serbia finds unacceptable, namely the customs service of Kosovo,” he underscored and noted that the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings were special in every aspect because of the security, political and other implications. He recalled that the six-point plan by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asserted that the crossings were special and that only international customs officers could be deployed there, while the revenues from customs tax should go to municipalities in northern Kosovo. Pointing out that it was not good for EULEX to have assisted the Pristina government in its unilateral move, Stefanovic underscored that Belgrade's proposition envisaged that the response to the initiative should be provided within an adequate and not too long period of time. “Defining the deadline is important because Serbia needs to prepare for alternative solutions that would be peaceful and constructive and would lead to an agreement,” the team chief stressed. “We are looking for a way to reach an agreement, we are looking for interlocutors and our hand is outstretched,” the Serbian official said and added that life could not be normalized without reaching the agreement first and that the question as to how KFOR and EULEX would perform their function at the Jarinje and Brnjak was a matter of agreement. Borislav Stefanovic (Tanjug, file)
Team chief: Checkpoints need to be discussed
The Belgrade team head stated that crossings in northern Kosovo needed to be discussed in the next round of talks in Brussels on September 28, instead of the previously planned topics of electricity supply and Telekom communications company, although these issues were also important.He believes that if the topics of the September 28 meeting should remain as planned, the next round of talks may not be held at all.
Elaborating on Belgrade's proposal for resolving the crisis in the northern part of the province, Stefanović underscored that the document was based on the fact that Serbia found it unacceptable for Kosovo customs and police officers to be deployed at the Jarninje and Brnjak administrative crossings in the northern part of the province.
“The ethnic structure is not as important as the fact that Kosovo customs officers represent an institution Serbia finds unacceptable, namely the customs service of Kosovo,” he underscored and noted that the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings were special in every aspect because of the security, political and other implications.
He recalled that the six-point plan by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asserted that the crossings were special and that only international customs officers could be deployed there, while the revenues from customs tax should go to municipalities in northern Kosovo.
Pointing out that it was not good for EULEX to have assisted the Priština government in its unilateral move, Stefanović underscored that Belgrade's proposition envisaged that the response to the initiative should be provided within an adequate and not too long period of time.
“Defining the deadline is important because Serbia needs to prepare for alternative solutions that would be peaceful and constructive and would lead to an agreement,” the team chief stressed.
“We are looking for a way to reach an agreement, we are looking for interlocutors and our hand is outstretched,” the Serbian official said and added that life could not be normalized without reaching the agreement first and that the question as to how KFOR and EULEX would perform their function at the Jarinje and Brnjak was a matter of agreement.
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